Prognostic importance of increased cyclooxygenase-2 levels in colorectal carcinomas: a 5-year single-institution study

COX-2-selective inhibitors are used in the prevention and management of colorectal carcinogenesis. Our objective was to investigate if COX-2 levels have prognostic value in patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma. This is a retrospective study of 112 patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma between 2000-2004 from the General Surgery Department at Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Gulhane Military Medical Academy. Patients were assessed according to age, gender, localization of the tumor, stage of the tumor, remote metastasis status, patient survival, COX-2 levels and grade of differentiation. COX-2 levels significantly affect the duration of survival (P=0.026) and overall survival (P=0.013). The COX-2 significance value showed a tendency to change from negative to positive while a statistically meaningful decrease was observed in the survival value (r=-0.25; P=0.007) in groups related with the survival duration of cases (r=-0.24; P=0.01). The median survival was 36 (26.35-45.65) months. During the examination of survival statuses of cases, a statistically meaningful difference was determined between patients whom were alive and dead (P=0.01). We conclude that COX-2 levels are a negative predictor of survival.